The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames was formed in 1965, in that year's major reorganisation of local government in London, by the merger of the municipal boroughs of Richmond and Barnes (both previously in Surrey) with the municipal borough of Twickenham (previously in Middlesex). The new borough was the only one of 32 in the newly-formed county of Greater London to lie on both the north and south banks of the River Thames. It is one of the most prosperous areas of the capital, and enjoys ample open space, including three Royal Parks: Richmond Park, Bushy Park and Hampton Court Park - as well as the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.